Cambridge IGCSE Maths past papers (0580)

Paper structure

• You sit two papers in total: Papers 1 and 3 for Core, or Papers 2 and 4 for Extended.
• Each tier pairs one non-calculator paper with one calculator paper, and the two papers in a tier are equally weighted.
• Extended adds content beyond Core, so Core papers are not sufficient preparation for an Extended entry.

Paper structure reflects the current specification. Grade boundaries and exam dates change every series — always check the board's published documents for your own series.

How to revise with past papers

1. 1. Check which tier you are entered for

   Practise only the paper pair for your tier, and confirm the entry with your school before building a revision plan around it.

2. 2. Train non-calculator fluency deliberately

   Fractions, surds, indices and standard form are where the non-calculator paper separates grades — drill them without a calculator.

3. 3. Keep full precision until the final line

   Round only at the end and follow the accuracy stated in the question; premature rounding is a common, avoidable loss.

4. 4. Mark against the scheme and re-drill

   Identify where method marks were available, then convert each dropped mark into a short topic practice set.

Common questions

How many papers do I sit for Cambridge IGCSE Maths 0580?

Two. Core candidates take Papers 1 and 3; Extended candidates take Papers 2 and 4.

Is there a non-calculator paper in Cambridge IGCSE Maths?

Yes. Each tier includes one paper sat without a calculator and one paper where a calculator is allowed.

What grades can Core and Extended achieve?

Core is graded C to G and Extended A* to E, so a target grade above C requires an Extended entry.

Is 0580 the same as Edexcel IGCSE Maths?

No. They are different specifications from different boards with different paper structures, although the underlying mathematics overlaps considerably.